C
Below Average
57/100

South Penn Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 500 E 2nd St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Overall
C
57/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
C
2.2 grade levels below the U.S. average · 26th percentile in Maryland
Growth
C+
Students gain 1.13 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 51st percentile
Resources
A+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Maryland schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

57
Repit Score
out of 100
512
Students
enrolled
10.9:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$19K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%26/1002.2 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%51/100Students gain 1.13 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 0.78 in 2009–19; 66th percentile in Maryland (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%96/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 80% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Maryland schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +15 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Maryland. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency29% (−15 pts vs. state avg 44%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency24% (−13 pts vs. state avg 37%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Maryland state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White32%27%reading -27 pts, math -30 pts7th percentile (list)
Black10%10%reading -20 pts, math -13 pts6th percentile (list)
Multiracial35%25%reading -16 pts, math -21 pts13th percentile (list)
Low-income27%22%reading +1 pts, math +0 pts40th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 500 E 2nd St
City Cumberland
ZIP Code 21502
District 2400030
NCES School ID 240003001359
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 21502

Understanding the community around South Penn Elementary helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $56,958
Per Capita Income $30,037
Poverty Rate 9.5%
Households Earning $100K+ 23.5%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 20.8%
High School or Higher 89.9%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $147,300
Median Rent $738
Owner-Occupied 68.9%
Renter-Occupied 31.1%
View full data for ZIP 21502 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 21502 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 21502 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for South Penn Elementary.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 53.1%
Female 46.9%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 72.7%
Two or More Races 15.6%
Black 8.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.8%
Asian 1.2%
American Indian 0.2%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 512
Teachers (FTE) 47.0
Student:Teacher Ratio 10.9:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for South Penn Elementary?
South Penn Elementary has a Repit School Score of 57 out of 100, earning a grade of C. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend South Penn Elementary?
South Penn Elementary has 512 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.9:1.
What grades does South Penn Elementary serve?
South Penn Elementary serves grades Pre-K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does South Penn Elementary receive per student?
South Penn Elementary receives $18,760 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around South Penn Elementary in 21502 ▼
Avg Home Value
$159,912
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,032
1-Year Change
+8.6%
% Renters
31.1%

Other Schools in 21502

View all schools and real estate data for 21502 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026